Cornsay Village
Cornsay is a small village south of Lanchester and is by far the oldest settlement in the parish.
The village green is home to the village play area and the Draw Well and has an active residents' association.
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Village Green
Town and Village Greens are areas of land on which local residents may indulge in lawful sports and pastimes. Many were registered in the late 1960s under the Commons Registration Act 1965.
Ownership of Cornsay village green is vested in the Parish Council, and the Green receives considerable statutory protection under the Inclosure Act 1857 and the Commons Act 1876.
Draw Well
The well house is a listed building and prominent feature on the village green.
The inscription above the door indicates that the building was constructed in 1743 for Wm Darnell and Thomas Rippon and it housed a well which was provided for the village.
A post box was inserted in the mid 20th Century, while the doorway was filled in with concrete blockwork and the roof capped with concrete. In 2007, the blockwork was replaced with a gate to allow views into the building.
The well house had been in poor condition for some years however funding was generously provided through the ESB West Durham Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund and County Durham Community Foundation which enabled repair and restoration to be carried out in the summer of 2020.
These works will ensure the survival of the structure for many years to come.
Play Area
Cornsay Village play area is located on the village green and includes swings, a timber trail and multiplay equipment. It is suitable for a range of age groups.